Covalent PI4K inhibitors to fight malaria
Official title: Development of covalent PI4K inhibitors to treat malaria
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11423944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new type of malaria drug candidate targets a parasite enzyme in a way that could overcome resistance and help people affected by malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $239,023 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI201386-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial yet; potential future patients would be those with malaria if a lead compound progresses to clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
At this stage, no direct patient treatment or enrollment is involved.
What this research studies
This project aims to optimize irreversibly acting molecules that block the parasite PI4KIIIβ enzyme, which is essential for Plasmodium survival. Researchers will build on prior findings showing a cysteine in Plasmodium PI4KIIIβ that can be targeted, using a hit-to-lead approach to improve potency and selectivity. The work involves medicinal chemistry and early biological testing to identify candidates with a strong therapeutic potential and acceptable safety. If successful, these lead compounds could move toward preclinical development for malaria treatment. The study is conducted at Purdue University and is designed to progress within a two-year timeline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, it could yield new antimalarial drugs that remain effective against resistant parasites.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed PI4KIIIβ as a drug target and reversible inhibitors existed; this project explores an irreversible mechanism to overcome resistance, which is promising but still experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flaherty, Daniel Patrick — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Flaherty, Daniel Patrick
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.